Sewing machine



Jan. l2, 1937. F RICKS 2,067,649

SEWING MACHINE Filed 0G12. 17, 1955 4 Sheets-S1166# l `lan. 12, 1937.

F. RICKS SEWING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Mii Jan. l2, 1937. F. RlcKS l SEWING YlviACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 12, 1937. f F. RlcKs 2,067,649

SEWING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEWING MACHINE Application October 17, 1935, Serial N0. 45,444 In Great Britain November 14, 1934 23 Claims.

This invention is concerned with improvements in sewing machines and is particularly but by no means exclusively concerned with curved hook needle machines for sewing together the uppers and soles of turnshoes.

In sewing together the uppers and soles of such shoes it is customary to turn the upper inside out, place a sole therein, turn the margin of the .upper over the edge of the sole until it lies outside the surface thereof, sew the margin of the upper and sole together and then turn the shoe rightside out so that the margin of the upper lies on the surface of the sole which faces the interior oithevshoe instead of lying on its tread face.

In the specification of United States Letters Patent No. 1,188,389 granted June 27, 1916, there is disclosed a curved hooked needle sewing machine for joining the upper and sole Vof a turnshoe together, which machine is provided with Aa shoe-entering horn having a projecting button thereon which co-operates with a bifurcated presser foot engaging the upper face of the work to deforrn the'sole so as to provide a projection thereon through which the curved needle can strike, in making a stitch, without penetrating through the lower surface of the sole. Such a projecting button and presser foot have been found in practice to enable uppers and soles to be sewn together by curved needles having a radius oi curvature of about one inch such as is commonly usedvin machines for sewing together the inseams of welted boots and shoes.

However, the necessity for using such a projecting button and presser foot to deform the sole may be obviated by using a curved needle having a relatively shorter radius of curvature, e. g., of half an inch, the needle can, while passing through the sole Without penetrating completely through the work, strike sufliciently deeply into the sole to ensure that the upper will be firmly sewn thereto.

When using a work entering horn such as is disclosed in the said prior specification for supporting a turnshoe during the sewing operation it it usual to give the horn automatic rising and vfalling movements to hold the work in a raised position during the sewing of a stitch and to release it for feeding the work through the machine between successive stitches. Such an arrangement, though found generally satisfactory for operating on shoes having soles, such as felt soles, may be found not to be so eiective in operation on shoes having soles of a very resilient nature, e. g., soles made of spongy rubber- In order to allow shoes having very resilient soles to be fed easily through a machine we have observed that, particularly if the soles are thick, it is necessary that the horn be caused to drop an appreciable distance after forming each stitch for feeding the work in order to allow for the re-expansion of the sole which will have been compressed between the horn and a support engaging the upper face of the work, but this gives rise to a tendency, when working around the forepart of the shoe to cause the horn to strike lagainst the inner face of the upper and to drag the margin of the upper away from proper position on the sole, thus increasing the possibility of faulty work and necessitating careful manipulation to offset this tendency.

On this account the use of an internal worksupporting horn for supporting the orepart of a shoe having soles made of certain materials may be inconvenient. The use-of an internal worksupporting horn at the heel end of a shoe, however, ldoes not present the same inconvenience since the heel end is open with the upper extending at right angles and therefore there is no danger of the horn striking against the upper as it descends. If an internal work-supporting horn be completely dispensed with and use made instead of an external work-support engaging the outer face of the folded back upper to clamp the Work for the sewing of each stitch against a cooperating presser or foot, the disadvantage aforementioned in the sewing of the forepart is obviated, but further disadvantages may arise in sewing around the heel end of the shoe, particularly if the upper is of relatively stout or stiff material, since there usually is a seam,frequent1y covered by a tape, which closes the heel end of the shoe, and as a result the total thickness of the upper materials is thicker presenting more difficulty in causing the upper to lie at against the vsole along this region than elsewhere. Moreover, where the upper is relatively stout or stiff, such an external support as last mentioned tends to form ears or pleats in the relatively stili material around the heel end of the shoe as it presses the upper back beneath the sole thus making it difficult for the operator to present the upper margin to the sewing instrumentalities in correct overlapping relation to the sole. 'Ihe use of such an external work support however around the forepart of the shoe does not present the same diiculties since the upper is usually of even thickness around this portion and can be laid against the sole with relative ease.

One of the several objects of the present invention is toprovide a sewing machine of the type described with novel and improved work supporting means which will hold the work equally well in either of two different operative relations to the machine and permit the work to be released for intermittent feeding during sewing without undesirably affecting the even progress of the seam.

, With the above and other objects in view, a feature of the invention relates to the provision, in a curved needle machine suitable for sewing unlasted turnshoes, of alternative work supporting means to be used in succession in sewing around the shoe in accordance with the wishes of the operator or with the requirements for holding different portions of the shoe in proper operating relationships. This feature of the vinvention is embodied in a machine` in which the work supporting means comprises an internal support for engaging the sole of the shoe through the ankle opening and an external support for engaging the upper folded back on the'sole in sewing about the forward part rof the shoe and means for readily moving one of said supports into, andthe other from operative positions. By using an internal support in the form of a horn while sewing around the heel end of the shoe, the difliculties hereinbefore mentioned in using an external support around the heel end may be obviated and by using an external support While sewing around the fore part of the shoe, the danger of the support pulling the upper i away from the sole during feeding movements may also be avoided.`

Certain features of the present invention also consist in novel and improved devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

A curved hook shoe sewing machine embodying the several features of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, looking from the front and from the left hand side of the upper part of the machine embodying the features of the invention, certain parts having been broken away; Fig. 2 is a right hand side view in elevation of a portion of the machine with the work entering horn thereof in operative position and the external work support in inoperative position; Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the external work support in operative position and the work entering horn in inoperative position; Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of portions of the stitch-forming devices and their operating mech anisms of the machine; Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation similar to that of Fig. 2 illustrating more fully and partly in section the controlling mechanism of the work supporting members; and Fig. 6 is a detail View of certain parts of an adjusting device in the machine as viewed from the right in Fig. 5.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is a chain stitch sewing machine having a head casting or frame 2, mounted on a base 4, and provided with bearings 6 near its upper end for a horizontal sewing cam shaft 8, `arranged to be rotated through a suitable driving and stopping mechanism not shown, and to actuate the various stitch forming and work feeding devices. The curved hooked needle is indicated at IS and is of a relatively small radius, approximately one half inch, and is clamped to a needle segment l2, secured at the right end of a horizontal reciprocating and rocking spindle I4 (Fig. 4). Surrounding the left end of the spindle is a sleeve it, which is loosely mounted in a bearing formed in a bifurcated bracket I8 secured to the machine frame 2. The sleeve I6 is clamped on the spindle between a nut 20 threaded on the left end of the spindle and anelongated pinion 22 held in place by a shoulder 24 on the spindle and a key 2S. o

To reciprocate the spindle the central portion is loosely surrounded by a collar 28 rotatable between the right end of the pinion 22 and a nut 3i) threaded on a sleeve 32 loosely surrounding the right end of the spindle, the sleeve 32 being loose in a bearing at the right of the vbifurcated bracket I8. On the right end of sleeve 32 is formed a segment 34 carrying a needle guide the segment 34 being confined between the right end of bracket I8 and the needle segment l2. The collar 28 is reciprocated by diametri-` cally opposed pivots 38 on the collar, extending into bearings at the lower forked end of avertically arranged lever 40, fulcrumed at 42 on the frame 2. The upper end of lever 40 is connected by means of a link 44'with the upper end of a lever 46 rotatable about a fixed pivot 48.

The lower end of lever 46 carries a pin 5G on which is loosely mounted a block 52 slidable in a vertical slot 54 in a horizontal slide 5S. Reciprocation of the slide causes reciprocating movement to be imparted to the spindle I4. through the connections thus described.

To reciprocate the slide 56 a cam operated lever 58 having a Xed pivot 60 on the machine frame is constructed with a vertical slot 62 along its central portion in which there is secured a block 64. The block 64 carries a rearward projection engaging' a vertical slot formed in an upward extension of the slide 56 to transmit the motion of the lever to the slot in a well known manner. Reciprocation of the slide and feeding movement of the needle may be adjusted by changing the position of the block 64 in the slot of lever 58.Y

To oscillate the needle, rotary movement is imparted to pinion 22 on spindle I4 by a toothed segment 66 at the lower end of a lever ES fulcrumed at 'l0 on a horizontal pivot and provided with a cain actuated roll H at its upper end.

The needle guide is actuated by a link '52 having a universal connection at its forward end with the needle guide segment 34, and at its rearward end with a suitable cam actuating lever.

To cause the margin of the upper to be held versal movement with it and a suitable vcam' actuated lever similarly connected to the link. A spring 'l5 surrounds the rod and is compressed between the cam actuated lever and a collar on the rod to permit the pleater to yield as it moves forwardly. 'To Vprovide a yielding engagement of the pleater vertically against the shoe the forward end of the guideway 'i4 is supported by a vertical bolt 11, the lower end of which is slidable in an opening in the guideway. Surrounding the bolt is a spring i8 for maintaining the guideway normally inits lowermost position.

In sewing a shoe upper, as indicated at 80 (Figs. 2 and 3), to a sole, indicated at 82, the needle rst engages the horizontal portion of the upper margin held in overlapping relation to the edge of the sole. After entering the sole the needle passes slightly downwardly to the lowest point of a path extending substantially parallel to the surface of the sole, and then upwardly, emerging at the same side of the work at which it entered. The thread is then engaged in the barb of the needle by a looper 84 and retracted to forni a seam wholly at the upper side of the work.

During the penetrating stroke of the needle, in the type of machine described in the patent referred to, the work is clamped against a presser foot by a curved horn-shaped internal work support, the presser foot holding the work in proper relation to the stitch forming devices. Before the needle penetrates the work, it is moved to an extreme position towards the right and after the needle has pierced the work, the work is freed and the needle is moved towards the left feeding the work with the needle. When the needle has reached the left end of its feeding movement, the work support again acts to clamp the work, and the stitching cycle is repeated.

The needle looper 84 lays thread in the needle barb when the needle is at the left end of its feeding movement. The looper is secured to the lower end of a lever 83 (Figs. 1 and 4) pivoted between its ends at 90. for movement in two directions, both forwardly and rearwardly of the machine as well as laterally. To impart the necessary movements to the looper, the upper end of lever 88 carries cam rolls 92 and 94 engaging peripherally and radially disposed surfaces, respectively, of a cam 90 on the shaft 8.

In the machine of the patent above referred to, the machine is effective in sewing felt or other soft soled shoes. When a sponge rubber or other very resilient sole is being sewed the downward movement of theA internal work support required to release the shoe about the toe portion during feed may interfere with the upper and displace the shoe from proper operating position, tending to cause faulty work.

According to a feature of the present invention the shoe is held in position by a U-shaped work support member 98 having two wor-k engaging tablets or heads |00 and |02, each adapted by its shape and its position of mounting on the work support member to engage and hold the work against the presser foot with the parts of the work disposed in proper operating relationships to each other. The work support member is mounted at the upper end of a reciprocating work support carrier |04 by a pivot pin |06 passing through the support member and the side portions of the slotted upper end of the carrier. The pin |06 provides a pivotal mounting for the work support with one arm which carries the head |00 relatively short and another arm including the U-shaped portion which carries the head |02 somewhat longer, the pivotal point being so located that the direct distance between head |00 and pin |06 is substantially the same as that between head |02 and the pin.

The arm carrying the head |00 is straight so as to act most effectively in supporting a shoe at the heel end with the upper extending at right angles and the arm carrying the head |02 includinggthe U-portion is shaped to act most effectively in supporting the forward portion of the shoe. In sewing the heel end of the shoe the head |00 enters the ankle opening of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 2, to engage the inner surface of the sole and constitutes an internal work supporting horn, the head being circular, and having sufficient area of contact to adequately support the work against the thrust of the needle. In the machine illustrated a head approximately threefourths of an inch in diameter has been found eiTective. It is provided with an integral threaded stud adjustably secured in a suitable opening in the straight arm of the work support member.

To sew the forward part of the shoe the work support member is rotated substantially 90 about its pivot |06 to swing the head |00 away from operative position, and the head |02 into operative position. The work engaging surface of the head |02 is substantially square, approximately one inch on a side, and is so arranged that it provides effective support by engaging the upper folded back beneath the sole of the shoe, (see Fig. 3). The U-shaped portion of the work support extends rearwardly to provide space beneath the head |02 in which the operators hand may manipulate the shoe parts as the sewing progresses.

In order to reciprocate the work support carrier |04 towards and from the work. it is formed with a transverse slot |08 (Fig. 5) at its lower end in which is mounted a block ||0 having a recess shaped to engage the forward rounded end of an arm I I2. The arm ||2 is mounted to oscillate about a stud ||4 passing through a pair of rearwardly extending ears on a sleeve I6 surrounding the carrier |04, the arm 2 lying between the ears of the sleeve. Integral with the arm ||2 is an arm |8 with its rearward end forked to embrace a trunnion block |20 (sec Fig. 6). Passing loosely through an opening in the trunnion block is the lower end of a substantially Vertical rod I2 pivotally connected at its upper end to a cam actuated lever |24. The lower end of the rod l2 is threaded and carries a nut |20 to engage the trunnion block 20 during the upward movement of the rod to move the work support carrier |04 downwardly. Loosely surrounding the rod ||2 above the trunnion block is a sleeve 23 about which is coiled a compression spring |30. spring |30 at its upper end bears against an acljustable nut |32 and at its lower end against the upper surface of an angular extension |34 of the sleeve |28 (see Fig. 6). The end of the angular extension |34 rests upon the rearward end of a 7' .fmall lever |36 pivoted on the arm H8. The lever |36 has a forwardly projecting tail maintained by the spring |30 in engagement with an adjustable eccentric |38. The eccentric is rotatable about the stud I4 and is maintained in the desired angular position relatively to arm ||8 by means of a spring actuated plunger |40 carried by an arm portion of the eccentric and arranged to engage any one of a series of holes |42 formed in a sector plate Arigid with the arm H8. This arrangement serves to urge the carrier |04 yieldingly towards the work and to provide easily operated means for adjusting the upward pressure thereof.

When a shoe is to be sewn it is placed in operative position in the machine, with work supporting head |00 engaging the inner surface of the sole at the heel, as shown in Fig. 2, and the sewing is performed entirely around the ankle open- The? ing until it becomes desirable to change the man- `H2 on the sleeve Vi IS.

ner of supporting the shoe. A forwardly'extending shift control handle |66 at the front of the machine is then actuated downwardly by the operator and during the next succeeding cycle of operations of the machine, and while the work support carrier |64 isin its lowered positionl with the head itl@ disengaged from the work, the work support memberv St is rotated about its pivot I until the head |62 is moved into the position indicated at Fig. 3 where it engages the upper folded back beneath the edge of the sole.

'Ihe connections for shiftingV the work support member 9|? about its pivot comprise a gear sector it@ rigidly secured to the work support member within a slot |48 formed in the work support member, and a rack i5@ meshing with the sector |416, arranged to slide on the carrier |311. The rack is slida'ole in a vertical guideway |52 at the upper end of the carrier and is actuated through connection comprising a pair of links |54, one of which is disposed at each side of the guideway. The upper ends of the links |54 are pivotally connected with the rack midway rof its length by means of a pin |56 extending through vertical slots in the sides of the guideway. The upper end of each link is connected to the upwardly' extending arm of a rightvangle lever 53 fulcrun'ied on a pin itil secured in carrier itil, so that together withvlinks |54 the levers form toggles at opposite sides of the rack guideway, which, when in straightened position lock the rack in raised position. To draw the rack into its lowermost position to bring the head itil into work supporting position against the folded back shoe upper as shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of the rack is connected to the upper end of a tension spring |2, supported within a passage formed in the carrier let and secured at its lower end to a rod Il fast in the carrier. Rotation of the work support member Q8 under the force of the spring |62 is limited by contact of the member with the upper end of the guideway by which it is supported in proper angular position.

To permit the rack iii to be drawn downwardly by the spring |62, a stop |56 connected as hereinafter described to the shift controlhandle |44 is provided to contact with the horizontal arm of lever |58. The stop |55 is so mounted that it may be moved toward and from a position where it will engage lever |58 at the desired time when the work support carrier mit is moved downwardly in releasing the work for a feeding movement. At this time the work support member 98 is lowered from the work sufficiently so that its rotation about its pivot iet will not displace or otherwise undesirably affect the shoe.

' The stop I is in the form ofa pin carried at the forward end of a lever |68 pivotally mounted at Viti between a pair of rearwardly extended ears The rearward arm of lever |68 carries a pin |14 extending into a cam slot il@ formed in the upper portion of an arm H8 secured to a rock shaft rotatable in xed bearings in the machine, The shift control handle Ilili is also secured to this shaft and causes the stop |55 to be raised into operative position when the handle is moved downwardly. To retain the handle in the desired position the forward end of a toggle spring |82 is connected to the handle midway its length, and the rearward end of this spring is connected to a pin |84 so located as to cause the spring to pass across the center of shaft |80 Whenever the handle is moved from one of its positions to the other. To limit the movement of the handle there are provided set screws |86, passing through fixed lugs on the machine frame. When the handle ldd is in raised position the stop |56 is out of the path of movement of toggle lever |58 and when it is in lowered position, it is moved into the path so as to break the alignment of the toggle, as the carrier |942 reaches the limit of its work releasing movement.

To return the work support member to its original position shown in Fig. 2 the rack |5|l is provided with a forwardly projecting portion and beneath it a pawl |88 is pivotally mounted on a forwardly extending arm of a resetting handle lever |99. The handle lever |91! is fulcrumed on a pivot |S2 mounted in the machine frame and when the handle portion, which extends downwardly, is brought forwardly, the pawl |88 is caused to engage the projecting portion of the rack I5@ to raise the rack. To insure that the pawl will engage the rack properly a downwardly extending arm is formed on the pawl and provided with a roll ii engaging a cam plate |9 fastened to the front of the machine frame. The roll |94 is forced against the cam |35 by a spring |98 coiled about the pivotal mounting of the pawl and the cam is of such shape that the upper end of the pawl will be moved upwardly in a purely vertical path when the handle lever is operated. When the rack is raised to the limit of its movement, the links |54 are brought into alignment with the upwardly extending arms of the levers |58 and are maintained in these positions by leaf springs |99 mounted on the guideway |52 to engage each link |54 and urge it into contact with a surface 26|) on the guideway. To return the handle lever to its vertical position a spring 26| is stretched between the lever and the frame. To insure that the work support will remain in its reset position when the machine is restarted the stop |65 is moved to a position out of the path of movement of the lever |58 through connections from the resetting lever. An upwardly extending' arm of the resetting lever has p-ivotally mounted on it a rearwardly extending rod 295 which passes through a perforated block 20e rotatable in the upper end of an arm 298 fixed to the rock shaft |80.

Surrounding the rod 264 is a spring 2 lil bearing at its rearward end against a washer 2|2 seated against a shoulder on the rod and at its forward end against a nut 2id on the rod. When the handle arm of the resetting lever |96 is brought forwardly 'the washer 2i2 engages the block 20%,

thereby raising the shift control handie ili yieldingly against the uppermost set screw |86.

In order to lower the work support member after the seam is completed to a point lower than reached during sewing, so that the shoe may be i removed and a new one substituted therefor, the sleeve i6 has a threaded opening at its lower end in which is engaged the upper end of an adjusting screw 2|6 having along its central portion a pair of collars 2|8.between which is engaged the slotted disk-like lower end of a second sleeve 22d surrounding the sleeve The sleeve 22E is held in xed position during operation of the machine by connections comprising a toggle, one member of which is formed by a link 222 pivoted at its upper P' end on a stud 224Ysecured in rearwardly extending ears 226 formed integrally with the sleeve 22B. The lower end of link 222 is pivotally connected with one arm of a bellcrank lever 228 fulcrumed on a fixed pivot 230, the other arm of the lever 220 together with sleeve H6 and work support carrier |04, are lowered by the breaking of the toggle formed by the link 222 and the arm of the bell crank lever 228 until ear 226 engages the pin 236 in its downward movement. Due to the fact that stud i4 which forms a part of the work support carrier reciprocating mechanism and the piVo-t |70, about which stop |65 is rocked are mounted in ears extending from the same sleeve HS, the relative positions of the stop |55 and toggle lever |58 for shifting the position of the work support remain the same. Lowering of the work support carrier by means of the treadle rod 232, therefore, does not affect the work support shifting connections. The adjusting screw 2|6 when rotated acts to change the vertical position of the work support member for different thicknesses of work, also without affecting the work support connections.

The presser foot 237 of the present machine is i fixed and formedA with a surface engaging the Iii Work entirely outside the area operated upon by the needle and with one edge 238 extending inside the seam line across the plane of the needle and Y parallel to the direction of feed a distance greater than the maximum extent through which the needle moves in feeding the Work, so that regardless of the feeding movement imparted to the needle, adequate resistance will be odered close to the point where the needle emerges. Engaging the work in advance of the area operated upon by the needle is a rearwardly extending finger 24U of the presser foot substantially in alignment with the forwardly extending finger of pleater '13. The pleater moves forwardly to press the upper close to the surface of the sole directly after the penetrating and feeding movements of the needle. The finger 2M! on the presser foot extends along the sole close to the pleater, thereby insuring that the work in advance of the needle will be compressed and held while the needle withdraws and again penetrates the work. After the pleater operates, the work is' compressed still further by the work support and the pleater remains forward until the work support again releases the work. The area operated upon by the needle not being compressed insures free and easy penetration by the needle and reduces the liability of thread breakage.

The machine is also provided With an edge gage 242 for the work. This gage comprises a relatively xed member extending downwardly from the machine frame behind the needle and presser foot and having the central portion slotted and suiciently cut away to allow the external work support |02 to swing upwardly into operative position through the lower part of the gage.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support to extend within the shoe, a work supportto engage the shoe externally, and means for supporting said work supports for movement alternatively into sole supporting position.

A machin@ fgr'sswiee together e 5.110,@ 501e and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, and two work supports mounted on the machine for alternative engagement with the shoe during operation of the machine shaped respectively to enter the heel end of the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending `at right angles to the sole while the heel portion of the shoe is being sewed and to engage the upper folded back on the sole and support the sole while the forepart of the shoe is being sewed.

3. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper While unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole,

an internal work support to extend within the shoe and engage the sole in sewing about the heel end of the shoe, an external work support to engage the upper folded back against the sole and support the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, and mechanism for withdrawing the internal work support from within the shoe and simultaneously moving the external work support against the folded back shoe upper.

4. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, an internal work support to extend within the shoe and engage the sole in sewing about the heel end of the shoe, an external work support to engage the upper folded back against the sole and support the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, and mechanism actuated in timed relation with the stitch forming devices to withdraw the internal work support from within the shoe and simultaneously, while the work is held in position by engagement with the stitch forming devices, to move the external work support against the shoe upper.

5. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a Work support carrier movable towards and from the sole, and interchangeable work supports mounted on the carrier, one of said work supports being arranged to extend within the shoe and engage the sole, and the other of said work supports being arranged to engage the shoe externally.

6. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upperl while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole, interchangeable work supports mounted on the carrier, and mechanism for moving lone work Support out of operative position and the other work support into operative position during the formation of a seam.

'7. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, -in combination,

stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emergefrom the same surface of the sole,

, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole, means for reciprocating the carrier towardsJand from the workto permit the work to be released during each cycle of operation of the stitch forming devices, interchangeable work supports on the carrier, and mechanism for' moving 10 and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole, means for reciprocating the carrier towards and from the work to permit the work to be released during each cycle of operation of the stitch forming devices, interchangeable work supports on the carrier, mechanism for moving one support out of operative position and the other support into operative position during a single reciprocation of the carrier, and means for causing the operation of the support moving mechanism to take place only when the carrier is near the limit of its movement away from the work.

9. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination,

lstitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole, at the other side of the work, and a lU-shaped work supporting member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, o ne of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe.

10. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole at the other side of the work, a U-shaped work supporting member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, resilient means tending to rock the work supporting member on the carrier to cause the sole supporting arm to be moved from operative position and the upper engaging arm to be moved towards operative position, means for locking the work supporting member with the sole supporting arm engaging the work and a control member for releasing the work supporting mem- 4. unsupported by a last having, in combination,

stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter;a and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier, a cam shaft for actuating the stitch forming devices and for reciprocating the work support carrier towards and from the sole to release the work during each stitching cycle of operation, a U-shaped work support pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper eX- tending at right angles in sewing about the heelv end of the shoe, and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, resilient means tending to rock the work support on the carrier to cause the sole supporting arm to be moved from operative position and the upper engaging arms to be moved towards operative position, means on the carrier for locking the work support with the sole supporting arm in operative position, and a stop arranged to be shifted towards and from a position where it will actuate the locking means to release the Work support when the carrier is reciprocated.Y

l2. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier, a cam shaft for actuating the stitch forming devices and for reciprocating the work support carrier towards and from the sole to release the work during each stitching cycle of operation, a U-shaped work support pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper `ex-v tending at right angles in sewing about the .heel end of the shoe, and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, resilient means tending to rock the work support on the carrier to cause the sole supporting arm to be moved from operative position and the upper engaging arm to be moved towards operative position, means on the carrier for locking the work support with the sole supporting arm in operative position, a stop arranged normally out of the path of the locking means as it is reciprocated with the carrier and a control member for shifting the stop to a position where it will actuate the locking means to release the work support when the carrier is reciprocated.

13. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin ofan upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a carrier, a Work support member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, a gear sector on the support member, a rack slidably mounted on the carrier to engage the gear sector, and mechanism for moving the rack relatively to the carrier to swing the support member on the carrier to bring either arm into work engaging position.

14. A-machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a carrier, a work support member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with. arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, a gear sector on the support member, a rack slidably mounted on the carrier to engage the gear sector, a cam shaft for actuating the stitch forming devices and for reciprocating the carrier towards and from the work, connections between the carrier and rack for moving the rack to swing the work support on the carrier, a stop arranged to be engaged by the connections when the carrier is reciprocated and a control member for shifting the stop relatively to the carrier towards and from a position where it will actuate the rack moving connections when engaged thereby.

15. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination. stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a presser foot, a carrier, a work support member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, means for reciprocating the carrier to cause the work support and presser foot to compress and release the work, connections between the carrier and work support member for rocking said member to cause one arm to disengage the shoe and the other arm to engage the shoe, a

stop for engaging the support rocking connections as the carrier is reciprocated to rock the work support member, and a manually operable control for shifting the stop towards and from a position where it will engage the connections.

16. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a presser foot, a carrier, a work support member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, means for reciprocating the carrier to cause the work support and p-resser foot to compress and release the work, connections between the carrier and work support member for rocking said member to cause one arm to disengage the shoe and the other arm to engage the shoe, a stop for engaging the support rocking connections as the carrier is reciprocated to rock the work support member, a manually operable control for shifting the stop towards and from a position where it will engage the connections,

mechanism for resetting the connections to cause the work support member to be returned to its original position, and means actuated by the resetting mechanism to return the stop to a position where it will not engage the connections.

17. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole at the other side of the work and a U shaped work supporting member pivotally mounted on the carrier and provided with arms, one of which is shaped to extend within the shoe and support the sole with the upper extending at right angles in sewing about the heel end of the shoe and the other of which is shaped to hold the upper folded back against the soie in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, and an edge gage having a slotted portion through which the work support member moves in shifting the positicn of the arms.

18. A machine for sewing together' a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including av curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, a work support carrier movable towards and from the sole, and interchangeable work supports mounted on the carrier, one of said work supports being arranged to extend within the shoe and engage the sole, and the other of said work supports being arranged to engage the shoe externally, a sewing shaft for actuating the stitch forming devices, and connections operated by the sewing shaft to reciprocate the work support carrier comprising a rod, a spring surrounding the rod to be compressed when the work support is moved against the work, an arm oscillated by the rod about a fixed pivot, a cam on the pivot. a lever fulcrurned on the arm with one end receiving the thrust of the spring, and with the other end engaging the cam and manually adjustable means for changing the angular position of the cam.

19. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, an internal work support to extend within the shoe and engage the sole in sewing about the heel end of the shoe, an external work support to engage the upper folded back against the sole and support the sole in sewing about the forward part of the shoe, and mechanism under the control of the operator acting when thrown into operation during the sewing of a seam to withdraw the internal work support from within the shoe and simultaneously to move the external work support against the folded back shoe upper. 20. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, and work gripping devices comprising a work Support at the other side of the sole operable to compress and release the work and a presser foot against which the work is compressed engaging the Work entirely outside the area of the work operated upon by the needle with a substantially straight edge extending in the direction of feed across the plane of the needle close to the point where the needle emerges to Support the Work at that point.

2l. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, and to feed the work and work gripping devices comprising a work support at the other side of the sole operable to compress and release the work between feeding movements of the needle, and a presser foot against which the Work is compressed engaging the work entirely outside the area o1' the Work operated upon by the needle with a substantially straight edge longer than the feeding movement of the needle extending in the direction of feed close to the point where the needle emerges 22. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper While unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, and to feed the work and work gripping devices comprising a work support at the other side of the sole operable to compress and release the work between feeding movements of the needle, a presser foot against which the work is compressed engaging the work entirely outside the area of the work operated upon by the needle with an edge longer than the feeding movement of the needle extending in the direction of feed close to the point where the needle emerges and a finger on the presser foot arranged at right angles to the direction of feed tol support the Work in advance of the area operated upon by the needle close to the needle as it passes through the Work.

23. A machine for sewing together a shoe sole and the overlapping margin of an upper while unsupported by a last having, in combination, stitch forming devices including a curved needle arranged to pass through the upper and enter and emerge from the same surface of the sole, and to feed the Work, a work support at the other side of the sole operable to compress and release the work, a presser foot against which the work is compressed engaging the work entirely outside the path of the needle with an edge longer than the feeding movement of the needle extending in the direction of feed close to the point where the needle emerges, a nger on the presser foot arranged at right angles to the direction of feed to support the workr` in advance of the path of the needle close to the needle as it passes through the work, and a pleater having a narrow finger. extending in substantial alinement with the linger on the presser foot for wiping the margin of the upper over the edge of the sole in advance of the needle path.

FRED RICKS. 

